I'm sure this is old news to some of you but I had a customer call me today to see if I could install it for him. I haven't researched the set yet but I'm betting I can't come close to that price and I certainly can't match their return policy. We all knew the days of profit on plasmas were coming to a close but this just drove another nail in the coffin.

It's old technology. It's the Pioneer 5040 which is a 2004 model according to Pioneer. Pioneer told me that Costco buys previous years Pioneer products from other retailers such as Best Buy, CC, etc.

I have yet to see a new Pioneer model in Costco. I would tell your customer that he is getting what he pays for. "Old Technology". I can gurantee that if it was the Pioneer 5060 Costco wouldn't be selling it for $4000.00.

I will not get into this on an open forum but "old models" do not inherently mean "old technology." Other than price care to share what Pioneer told you were the 'differences" between the 5040 and the 5060?

Do not sell Pioneer consumer glass. Sell the commercial with the KDS video card.

Alan

thanks Mitch...but I don't think this guy cares.... It's just a large TV on the wall that shows a picture. Luckily the vast majority of my customers prefer to buy from me, regardless of price.

As far as I know, the unit at Costco has the same features as the new model, and that being the case, you really can't blame a client for wanting to buy from there.

But, to make matters worse, Costco also has a install (sub-contractor) rate of $350.00 in our area. Presumably this is a basic install....? No details given...

I just did an install for a "friend of a friend" (probably wouldn't have done it otherwise) where I supplied the mount, the cabling and the install.

Specified that the install would not have ANY guarantee. "Friend" understood (signed agreement) that if the PDP fell off the wall, it was time for him to call HIS insurance company, and that if it didn't work at all, it was HIS problem to deal with. And lastly, that if a return trip was required due to malfunction, there would be additional charges.

I heard the new model usues only a single pane of glass isntead of two to help cut down on the ol prosm effect and as well to enhance light ouput as well as life span. Did I hear wrong?

Doesn't that make the thing more likely to leak plasma?

Different Glass and different electronics is what Pioneer told me. He mentioned some other comparrisons but I can't remember what they were.

Speaking of Costco...(well, BJ's) I just saw a 32" tube set for $299!! We haven't sold any for so long, I can't remember how much a decent one was going for, but 299???

I heard the same on the Pioneers. Most people who are aware of this will usually spend additional money to get the newer set. I find most plasma customers are still on the affluent side.

I recently did one of those pioneer plasmas for a customer kid who moved into NYC....
The one he had never heard of the model and it was a cadanian/french model. Everything on the back was written in french. Never saw this one before. I was also told by my rep that costco is not authorized so you get no warrentee except through them, and that most of it is B stock or Graystock.

They even have "BLOSE" at the costco's near me....

Lonny

That's not what Pioneer told me. I specifically asked them if Costco was an "Authorized Pioneer Dealer" and he said "Yes".

I don't know what to tell ya...
THe rep for my buying group says they aren't autohorized....

It doesn't seem to matter if they are authorized or not. The fact that they will take the panel back at any time for any reason pretty much solves any warranty issues. Although I wonder if they give you your money back or store credit? That could be a lot of store credit.

Ted, A lot of store credits? You haven't seem my wife at Costco